As the 7-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government by ex-Niger Delta warlord, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo to inaugurate board for the NDDC counts to its expiration, the Niger Delta Volunteers for Good Governance (NDVGG) has vowed to join forces with the Niger Delta freedom fighter to crumble the nation’s economy should the government fail.
Tompolo had last Sunday issued a 7-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to inaugurate a substantive board for the NDDC, vowing that failure to do so would lead to the nation’s economy particularly in the Niger Delta crumbled.
President of the group, Comrade Ben Bowei, said after exhausting all the available sources for consultations, the group has no option but to join forces with other groups particularly the well respected ex-militant leader in demanding justice.
According to the former national treasurer, Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, worldwide, the decision becomes necessary taking into consideration the injustice meted on the Niger Delta people particularly Edo State.
“We have come to the conclusion that after the 7-day ultimatum given to the Federal Government by our leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo elapses, we are going to crumble all economic activities particularly oil exploration in the entire Niger Delta region.
“We have vowed to shut down all facilities which will crumble the economy of the nation unless the Federal Government do the needful by correcting the injustice meted on the people of the Niger Delta.
“Enough of this injustice done to us in our region. We will never accept that, and I mean it! A single individual cannot take a whole region made up of millions of people for granted. We are demanding that a substantive board for the NDDC be inaugurated else, the government will see our other side. We are not joking. Immediately after the 7-day ultimatum elapses, we are going to strike,” he vowed.
Comrade Bowei, who happens to be Secretary-General, Edo Restoration Movement, also vowed to take over the East-west road and NDDC office in Benin should the Federal Government fails to set up the board.
He added that the Act that established the NDDC does not recognise sole administrator as obtainable presently hence it is an aberration.
Recall that Comrade Bowei and his Edo Restoration Movement had some months ago protested against the aberration in the NDDC where they demanded that a substantive board be set up for the NDDC as required by the Act.
He added then that the group decided to take over the NDDC office in Benin because of the marginalisation of Edo State and the Niger Delta in general.
(The Precision NG)
